Indians closer Perez aims to be back for season opener

Cleveland All-Star closer Chris Perez hopes to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the Indians’ April 2 opener at Toronto. Perez was diagnosed Friday with a strained muscle in his right shoulder, an injury that could sideline him for a month.

Times Reporter

Writer

Posted Mar. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 2, 2013 at 2:22 AM

Posted Mar. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 2, 2013 at 2:22 AM

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

Logan Forsythe offers the San Diego Padres many options. Yet, he’s trying to leave them with only one choice.

He wants to start.

Forsythe gave the Padres two more reasons to make him a regular: he hit two triples in the same inning of an 11-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.

“He’s ready to play every day,” Black said. “He wants to play every day.”

Forsythe led off third with a triple to right field off Ubaldo Jimenez and his three-base with two outs off Edward Parades drove in two runs. The Padres scored seven runs in the inning.

Jimenez gave up seven hits and five runs in two-plus innings.

San Diego manager Bud Black sees Forsythe as a starter.

But where?

He’s been working at second base, third base, shortstop and left field this spring. He was at shortstop Saturday. Forsythe expects to be in the infield with occasional duty in left. But there’s a competition at every position.

Chase Headley is the third baseman. Everth Cabrera is Forsythe’s chief competition at short. Jedd Gyorko has excelled at second this spring. And it looks as if Carlos Quentin will be San Diego’s everyday left fielder.

But with a couple of swings of the bat Saturday, Forsythe reminded Black just how valuable he can be.

At Petco Park in San Diego, he was especially effective. His .313 batting average at home was the highest ever by a hitter with 150 or more at-bats in the ballpark that opened in 2004. He had eight doubles, five homers and a .493 slugging p percentage. Oh yeah, he had two triples, too.

Forsythe led San Diego’s 18-hit attack against the Indians, who took a 6-0 lead in the opening inning, roughing up Edinson Volquez, who gave up six runs on six hits in two innings.

It was Volquez’s second appearance in spring. He struck out four in two innings on Feb. 25 against Milwaukee.

“He had to work awful hard in a strong inning,” Black said. “His velocity was there. I think he’s good. It’s a good start.”

One of the six hits allowed by Volquez was a three-run homer by Ryan Raburn, who signed a minor league contract with the Indians on Jan. 19 after a tough year in Detroit.

“I don’t have the luxury of a guaranteed spot,” said Raburn, who has four homers this spring and is trying to make the Cleveland’s opening-day roster as a utility player. “I’m trying to force them to make a decision.

“I’ve got something to prove,” Rayburn said.

NOTES: Indians manager Terry Francona said right-hander Frank Herrmann saw Los Angeles Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum for a second opinion on his sprained right elbow. The Indians announced Friday that he was out indefinitely. It’s believed Herrmann was injured Monday when he allowed four runs on five hits in a 14-10 victory over the Oakland A’s at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Herrmann has been competing for a spot in the Cleveland bullpen. . Indians reliever Joe Smith threw batting practice Saturday morning. Smith has been sidelined by strain to a left abdominal muscle. . The Indians play the Dodgers Sunday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale. Right-hander Corey Kluber is Cleveland’s scheduled start. The Dodgers plan to start right-hander Josh Beckett. . The Padres are at home at the Peoria Sports Complex against the White Sox. Left-hander Clayton Richard is San Diego’s scheduled starter. The White Sox plan to go with right-hander Jake Peavy.